Questions on Gerbils: Can They Be Kept Alone? Can They Use Sand Bedding And Tissue?
by Aquaboy on Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 | 4 Comments
Please answer! Note: I HAVENT GOTTEN A GERBIL YET.
I’m thinking on getting a female gerbil and keep her in an aquarium. I really want to keep her alone becuase if I get 2 it will be really hard for me- dont ask why. I will also spend tons of time with her- honest!
Can I use sand bedding with ripped up tissue becuase the pet shop does that.
Do you think I should get the gerbil from A) Pet shop B) Rescue centre or C) Buy and Sell website (like ebay ect.)
Thanks!
I suppose you could get use sand bedding and tissue paper. But it would be better to use something like Carefresh or Aspen and put ripped up tissue paper in there that they can use for nesting.
2 gerbils aren’t any harder to take care of than one gerbil. And even if you spend a lot of time with her it doesn’t replace the fact she doesn’t have anyone to groom her, sleep with her, etc…
I wouldn’t trust e-bay to give you a healthy gerbil, i think your best options are a pet shop or a rescue/shelter. However you have to know how to know if they are males or females and how to pick out healthy ones from sick ones, bcuz sometimes the people who sell you them don’t know what they are talking about.
Good Luck!
I would absolutely get more than one gerbil. Gerbils seem happiest and most active when kept in pairs male-female, female-female, or even male-male.Two mature males or females raised in different families might fight occasionally if kept together, but are overall much happier in groups. Lone gerbils have been proven to live shorter, less healthy lives, and are often overweight and not too happy. They also tend to be harder to tame and less friendly overall. Even if you are home all day, and playing with them constantly, this does not make up for the fact that they must sleep alone, eat alone, and have no one to groom them. So a companion is essential.
There are a number of good choices for your new gerbils home. The most popular for a pair is a ten-gallon aquarium, for a number of reasons. It is inexpensive, easy to clean, roomy, and allows for great creativity. It will be necessary to have a small animal top, both to keep the gerbil from escaping and for its safety.
General guidelines:
10 gallon tank 1 or 2 gerbils
15 gallon tank 3 gerbils
20 gallon tank 4 gerbils
30 gallon tank 6 gerbils
The only major drawback to an aquarium is that they are very poorly ventilated. Gerbils are prone to getting respiratory infections, so you will either have to clean the cage constantly, or abandon the idea of a tank, and get a wire cage.
I would not use sand in any cage. Not only is it dusty (which can cause respiratory distress) but it is also very difficult to keep clean. Gerbils require bedding to absorb their urine (which sand will not do), as well as for digging fun. The best choices are Carefresh, Yesterday’s News and corncob beddings. The average 10-gallons with two gerbils in it will only need cleaning every one to two weeks, depending on how dirty your gerbils are and how badly they smell. If water is spilled or it smells you will have to change it. When cleaned on a regular basis a gerbil tank/cages should never smell. Fill the tank or cage 1/3 full with bedding. They love to pile it up, and bury their food in it. Here are the general bedding guidelines for gerbils:
* Corn Cob, Yesterday’s News or Carefresh bedding is recommended by most experts.
* DO NOT use Pine or Cedar Wood Shavings, as they can cause respiratory distress and allergic reactions.
* Plain shredded paper will work, however the cage will start smelling earlier than if the recommended beddings are used.
* DO NOT use shredded paper with any sort of newsprint on it.
* Fill the tank or cage 1/3 full with bedding if not breeding. If breeding, two inches should be sufficient.
Finally, I would absolutely recommend getting an animal from a rescue group. Pet stores rarely treat their animals appropriately (hence the reason the gerbils are kept on sand at the store you saw). And if you get your pets from a rescue group, you are doing a very kind thing for a needy animal. It just feels a lot better. If you need help finding an animal, check these websites:
http://www.petfinder.com
http://www.rescuenetwork.org/
http://www.craigslist.org
http://www.agsgerbils.org/classifieds/
Good luck, and if you have any other questions, please contact me!
Gerbils can be kept alone. They might be happier in pairs but if you keep the cage in an active location it should work.
I would say rescue a gerbil.
Gerbils are social, and should be kept in same-sex pairs. I don’t quite understand how one gerbil would be easier. In fact, a lone gerbil may be more work than a pair because you have to spend a ton of time with it to help make up for the lack of a gerbil friend. Your gerbil will have to groom herself, play with herself, and sleep by herself. Lone gerbils tend to live shorter, less healthy lives. They can become unsocial with humans. I highly recommend you get a pair. You can spend equal time with two and love both just the same.
Sand and ripped up tissue is not the best bedding. Just because the pet shop does it doesn’t mean it’s good. Sand isn’t absorbent. Gerbils can’t really dig in it. I’d recommend aspen shavings. Pine isn’t all that great, and you definitely need to avoid cedar. The aromatic oils in it can cause respiratory problems. Carefresh is another option.
I, personally, prefer aspen. It’s absorbent, masks odors well, and holds up tunnels very well.
I’d say a rescue center or responsible breeder is the best place to get gerbils. nezumi11 listed some great sites.